Surveillance Review:

This was the last of the albums to be released by the ”classic” Triumph line-up of Gil Moore, Mike Levine and Rik Emmett. After their flirtation with pop, with 1986’s The Sport of Kings , Triumph come back with guitar-driven rock on this disc. Punch, melodies and hooks dominate the tracks.

What is missing though is the cohesiveness between the players. Earlier albums, including the aformentioned Kings , included a more organic lush production. Background vocals used to be easily discernable as members of the band. On Surveillance, many people contribute to the supporting vocals leading to a more muddled sound.

While the guitars are placed back at the forefront, the album suffers from an uneven production quality. Some highlites on the album are: ”Never Say Never”, ”Carry on the Flame” and ”On and On.” Due to this being Rik”s last with the band, this disc is somewhat sentimental to most fans.

Due to repacking in the US, songs from Rock & Roll Machine and In the Beginning were combined to form what became the American release of Rock & Roll Machine . Therefore, many fans below the border had no chance to hear many good cuts that were left off. 24 Hours A Day kicks off the album and the drive doesn’t stop until the thunder storm that closes Blinding Light Show/Moonchild.

The early style of Triumph is laced throughout the entire album, mixing elements of progressive rock with straightforward 70s hard rock. High points on the album are: 24 Hours A Day, Be My Lover, Street Fighter, What’s Another Day of Rock ‘n’Roll and Blinding Light Show/Moonchild.

It can be said of first albums that bands are reaching for what is to come while reaching back into what they know. This album screams Led Zeppelin while it searches ahead for what is to come.

Another rip-rocking album. The album I purchased must have been a re-release since a friend showed me how his opened up in to an actual game board. Man… talk about good rock n roll from start to finish.

Man, what a Rock and Roll album. This was my introduction to Triumph. I think I wore out two needles for the turntable and at least two albums listening to this one over and over. I am sure I still have the vinyl and possibly the 8-track somewhere. If you are a Triumph fan this is a DEFINITE MUST HAVE ALBUM.

I remember when I first heard about this album. I was already an avid Triumph fan and anything beyond what I had heard was a treat for sure. This album was a prized posession and almost impossible to find in the stores. Talk about a way to start out. This album rocks!